the stockholm and basel conventions: integrated implementation with the rotterdam convention
TRANSCRIPT
The Stockholm The Stockholm and Basel Conventions: and Basel Conventions:
Integrated implementation with the Integrated implementation with the Rotterdam ConventionRotterdam Convention
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Purpose of the Presentation
• Introduce the Basel and Stockholm Conventions
• Highlight how they relate to the Rotterdam Convention, and
• Identify opportunities for integrated implementation
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Structure of the Presentation
• Objectives of the Conventions• Scope-Coverage • Key provisions of the Conventions• Present status• Integrated implementation
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Stockholm Convention
OBJECTIVE• To protect human health and the environment from the
harmful impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)HOW
– eliminate production and use of intentionally produced POPs
– minimize and where feasible eliminate releases of unintentionally produced POPs
– clean-up old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs
– support the transition to safer alternatives– target additional POPs for action
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Stockholm Convention SCOPE/COVERAGE
a) 12 chemicals
• Pesticides– aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor,
mirex, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene
• Industrial Chemicals– hexachlorobenzene, PCBs
• Unintended byproducts– chlorinated dioxins, chlorinated furans
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Stockholm Convention
SCOPE/COVERAGE
b) Clean up Stockpiles and Equipment
• Governments to identify stockpiles, products and articles containing POPs
• Stockpiles and wastes to be managed in a safe efficient and environmentally friendly manner
• POPs content must be destroyed
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Stockholm Convention
TRANSITION TO SAFER ALTERNATIVES
• DDT is permitted for disease vector control until locally safe, effective and affordable alternatives are available
• PCBs – governments allowed until 2025 to phase out ‘in-place’ equipment
• Country specific exemptions for certain pesticides
• Improve ability to minimize release of byproducts (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs)
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Stockholm Convention
CRITERIA FOR NEW POPS
• Add new chemicals following consideration by an expert body
• Criteria include
– persistence, bio-accumulation, toxicity,– potential for long-range environmental
transport
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Stockholm ConventionASSESSMENT OF NEW POPS
• Screening criteria are assessed by a POPs Review Committee
• If the criteria are satisfied, information is gathered to prepare a risk profile
• Lack of full scientific certainty shall not prevent a proposal for global action on a chemical
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Stockholm ConventionSUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Detailed guidance is available including:
• Developing a national implementation plan (NIP) for the Stockholm Convention
• Reducing and Eliminating the use of POPs
• Action Plan for the Reduction of Reliance on DDT in Disease Vector Control
• Framework for the Management of PCBs
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Stockholm Convention
STATUS
Entered into force 17 May 2004
• 156 Parties as of June 2008
• COP 2, 1-5 May 2006, Geneva• COP 3, 30 April-4 May 2007,Senegal• COP 4, May 2009
Website: www.pops.int
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Basel Convention
OBJECTIVE
• Reduce transboundary movement of hazardous wastes to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management
• Dispose of hazardous wastes as close as possible to their source of generation
• Minimize generation of hazardous wastes in terms of quantity and degree of hazard.
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Basel Convention
SCOPE-COVERAGE• Hazardous wastes (specified in Annex I)
– Explosive– Flammable– Poisonous– Infectious– Corrosive– Toxic– Ecotoxic
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Basel Convention
KEY PROVISIONS • A procedure for the notification of
transboundary movements of hazardous wastes or other wastes, based upon a prior written consent procedure
• Each shipment needs a movement document from the point of transboundary movement to the point of disposal
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Basel Convention
KEY PROVISIONS
• Transboundary movement only among parties
• Export is prohibited if – The state of import has an import ban, OR
– The state of import has not given its consent to the import
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Basel Convention
SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION
• Manual and guidelines– Model legislation on control and management
of hazardous wastes– Implementation manual– Instruction manual on the control system– Technical Guidelines
• Basel Convention Regional Centres
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Basel Convention
Entered into force May 1992
• 170 Parties as of June 2008• Subsequent amendments have yet to
enter into force
Website: www.basel.int
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Rotterdam Convention
Entered into force February 2004
• 120 Parties as of June 2008
Website: www.pic.int
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Areas for integrated implementation
1. Framework for lifecycle management 2. Chemicals covered3. Regulatory infrastructure4. Import/export control5. Waste management 6. Hazard communication
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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management
• Together the three conventions cover the key elements of the life cycle management of hazardous chemicals:
– SC sets out specific criteria for identifying POPs that are to be incorporated into national assessment schemes – should lead to national regulatory action
– RC candidate chemicals are those that are banned or severely restricted or refused first time approval for health or environmental reasons
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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management
Rotterdam Convention
• is a first line of defence against future POPs
• gives countries an early opportunity to consider alternatives
• PIC procedure should assist in avoiding an accumulation of unwanted stockpiles
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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management
Stockholm Convention
• eliminate production and use of POPs chemicals
• restricts the import and export of POPs to cases where the purpose is the environmentally sound disposal
• reduce or eliminate releases of POPs working on BAT/BEP guidelines
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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management
Basel Convention
• can assist in managing disposal of unwanted stockpiles
• technical working group is developing guidelines on management of POPs wastes
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2. Chemicals Covered
• 8 of the 10 intentionally produced POPs are subject to the Rotterdam Convention
• anticipate that in future intentionally produced POPs in the Stockholm Convention will be first included in the RC
• as wastes all chemicals will be subject to the Basel Convention
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3. Regulatory infrastructure
• Countries can use the experience gained during ratification of the Basel Convention for Stockholm and Rotterdam
• Guidance to developing National Implementation Plans (NIPs) adopted at Stockholm Convention COP.1 includes references to integration with the Rotterdam Convention
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3. Regulatory infrastructure
• National chemicals legislation – all three Conventions involve a review of existing legal or administrative infrastructure– Utilize Rotterdam Legal Guide in
reviewing legislation
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4. Import/Export Controls• All three Conventions provide mechanisms
to restrict imports and obligations on exports.– Import restrictions under Rotterdam may help
prevent stockpiles and wastes accumulating
• Customs officials should be trained on Convention requirements in a coordinated manner, addressing all three Convention’s
• Conventions may facilitate monitoring of movement of hazardous chemicals
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4. Import/Export Controls
• Secretariats of the three Conventions are working together to ensure a coordinated approach to training customs authorities on the requirements of the Conventions
– in association with UNEP Green Customs initiative and the World Customs Organization
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5. Waste Management
• Movement of wastes under Basel Convention – Rotterdam and Stockholm may help to prevent
accumulation of stockpiles
• Basel Convention is developing technical guidelines for PCB, dioxins, furans and other hazardous wastes– These will be taken up by Stockholm
Convention
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6. Hazard Communication• All three Conventions have mechanisms for
hazard communication
• National focal points for the Conventions should share information to ensure awareness among relevant authorities
• Close cooperation between focal points and regulators will assist in an integrated approach – such cooperation may assist in coordinated
implementation, as common issues can be considered together
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Synergies process among the Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
Decisions of the 3 COPs
• Establish the Joint ad Hoc Working Group on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Conventions– 15 representatives from each Convention (3 per UN
region)
– First meeting March 2007, Helsinki Finland
– Second meeting December 2007, Vienna, Austria
– Final meeting March 2008 – Rome, Italy